Hundreds of residents in Taylor County without water after main break

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Several people in Taylor County, Kentucky, are expected to be without water for several weeks after a water main break Thursday.

In a social media post, Taylor County Emergency Management said "a critical water main break" happened to an eight-inch section of pipe under 20 feet of floodwater on Highway 70 (Elkhorn Road), just east of Highway 76 (Knifley Road) in Taylor County. Officials estimate that about 1,700 customers are affected.

In an update around 5:15 p.m., TCEM said crews are flushing the water mains to eliminate any muddy lake water, expecting to restore water to some customers Thursday night. However, residents living on Shofner Road will be without water service for several weeks.

TCEM Director Ronnie Dooley said in an email update to WDRB Friday night that water service has been restored Friday morning to the nearly 1,700 customers affected. Customers on Shoftner Road are still without water, and expected to be for several weeks. Dooley said those customers are being provided bottled drinking water until service is restored.

Customers are asked to open faucets when water service is restored to expel any trapped air inside the lines. Residents on both sides of Highway 76, all off roads and both sides of Speck Ridge Road are under a Boil Water Advisory until samples confirm the water is safe to use.

A dive team with Derby Dive Services had to be called in to locate the shut-off valve, which was under 15 feet of water.

Utica residents prepare for long cleanup process as floodwaters slowly recede

Flooding Blog | Real-time updates as floodwaters cover part of Kentucky, southern Indiana

'Thankful to be alive' | Jeffersontown residents cleaning up after last week's EF-3 tornado